Candidates show signs of election pressure

ELECTION candidates are falling foul of council by-laws in their zest for votes at Saturday's poll.

A Mackay City Council spokesperson said about 30 election signs had been removed since the start of the campaign almost six weeks ago, with signs placed next to the road the biggest problem.

While candidates can be fined $375 for illegal sign placement, the spokesperson said no fines had been imposed to date.

Signs promoting De-Anne Kelly (Nationals), Cherry Feeney (Labor) and Jan Pukallus (Citizens Electoral Council), erected on the Mackay Showgrounds' north-east fence, also were illegal the spokesperson said, and council would ask the show society to remove them.

Council was alerted to the signs following Daily Mercury inquiries yesterday.

The spokesman said the situation was ''pretty much the same'' as other elections.

Some of the sign rules include: Only one sign to be erected per property; No election signs may be placed on any roads, light poles, power poles or council property; No election signs can be put up on the roadsides, on roundabouts or nailed to trees on public property; Signs must be removed within seven days of the election or a $300 bond is forfeited.